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Gretchen Anna Hagemann passed away on January 23, 1968 in Oakland, California at the age of 23.
Gretchen was born in Los Angeles County on October 16, 1944. She was raised by her maternal grandparents, Anne and James Barnes, in Napa. Gretchen attended local schools, and after graduating from Napa High with honors, attended Napa Community College where she graduated with honors, and the University of California at Berkeley where she graduated with honors. At some point, she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, and despite her condition, did not let it affect how she lived her life.
At Napa High, Gretchen was a member of American Field Service and Girls League. She participated in the Winter Show and Hall Decorations. She was also a Senior Class Supervisor.
At Napa Community College, Gretchen was the Valedictorian of the Class of 1964. She was a member of the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Alpha Gamma Sigma, the Community College honor scholarship society founded in 1926. Gretchen was also a member of Delta Chi Omega Sorority. She was scholastically ranked third in a class of 154 upon graduation.
Gretchen graduated from UC Berkeley in 1966, and began working at Cowell Hospital which was operated by the University. She worked there for a year and a half as a 'Clerk.' At that point, Gretchen's physical condition began to cause her serious problems, and she was forced to quit work. Gretchen passed away at Children's Hospital of the East Bay from heart failure due to pneumonia and bronchiectasis, with cystic fibrosis as the ultimate cause.
Gretchen is survived by her brother Jay Kimball, and her grandparents.
Special services were held for Gretchen, including a Rosary at the Richard Pierce Funeral Service Chapel, and a Funeral Mass at St. John's Catholic Church. There is a wonderful tribute to Gretchen at www.findagrave.com, which also includes significant details of her early life and her family.
Gretchen's Gravestone at Tulocay:
Delta Chi Omega Sorority at Napa Community College:
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Note other Napa High Class of 1962 Classmates
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William 'Bill' Moody
I really didn't get to know Gretchen well at all until after high school. She was college prep all the way, while I was putting in my time.
I got to know her better while she was a student at U.C. Berkley, and I was working as an apprentice at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. She was very encouraging (in spite of her medical issues), and encouraged me to get serious about education. Thanks in part to her, I got back on track and picked up a couple of degrees.
It was sobering to hear of her passing at such a young age. She was so full of life, and really reached out to others in a giving way.
Good bye Gretehen, and thanks for adding a spark to my life.
Bill Moody